New York City’s death count has spiked to more than 10,000 after it reported 3,778 people who likely had Covid-19, but died without being tested.
Firefighters and paramedics had been recording drastic increases in deaths at home around the city, assumed to be caused by the virus.
The new figures, from the city’s Health Department, mark a 60% rise in deaths.
In terms of per-capita death rate, New York City has now outpaced Italy – home to the highest death toll in Europe.
“Behind every death is a friend, a family member, a loved one. We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of Covid-19 gets counted,” said the city’s health commissioner, Dr Oxiris Barbot.
